Y/N's weariness seemed to deepen with every step, weighed down by Walden's unrelenting inquiries regarding their comfort with their Raven haired coworker's conduct. While they empathized with Walden's concern, the constant scrutiny became increasingly burdensome. Even the distant echoes of the albino's reprimands from rooms away contributed to the overall complexity of the situation.

"Mood swings on overdrive," they quietly chuckled to themselves, their exasperation subtly surfacing.

As for Solaris as he preferred to be called, he fought back the urge to sigh as Walden directed a stern look his way.

"Do you understand?" Walden inquired, his arms folded assertively as he loomed over the albino.

"Yes, sir," Solaris responded, offering a gracious smile.

Walden raised an inquisitive eyebrow, his skepticism apparent.

"I won't repeat the incident, sir. I'll make sure never to make them uncomfortable again," Solaris reiterated with determination.

Walden's stern gaze lingered momentarily, his patience tested. "Make sure your ears are open," he cautioned before walking away.

Solaris muttered, "Grump," under his breath, his attention reluctantly shifting back to the overwhelming workload displayed on his computer screen. Eager to plunge into work, he leaned over the undersized table, fully aware that the inevitable back pain would be a small price to pay for productivity.

As the hours passed, Solaris diligently tackled the files, meticulously organizing a multitude of blood data that had been ethically obtained, sourced from hospital donations and public requests rather than stolen.

Sighing as he stretched and cracked his neck, he reclined in his office chair, momentarily basking in the small victory of completing his tasks.

Then, an unexpected crash reverberated through the office, followed by a muffled exclamation of frustration.

Without hesitation, Y/N rushed to investigate the source of the commotion. They flung open the door to find Solaris on the floor, his toppled chair nearby.

"I think I broke my spine," Solaris moaned as he laboriously got up, his back producing a resounding crack.

"Yup," Y/N deadpanned, assessing the situation with a dry sense of humor.

Solaris chose this moment to playfully flirt, making light of the platonic nature of their relationship. "Were you worried?" he teased with a grin.

"No, I thought you'd committed a murder," Y/N replied, their expression deadpan.

Solaris theatrically gasped, melodramatic. "My favorite coworker has hurt my feelings," he proclaimed.

Y/N wasn't one to shy away from a banter, retorting, "Well, you're known for drowning and stabbing."

Solaris responded with a smooth line, "I'll drown you in love and stab you with affection," punctuated by a charming smile. His silver tongue was evident.

Y/N playfully smacked him in response, their camaraderie evident. They couldn't help but glance at the raven's monitor, where a familiar J-pop song was playing.

"Really? 'Oshi no ko' and 'Idol' by Yaosobi?" Y/N asked, a teasing grin forming. "And you hate it when I compare you to Aquamarine," they joked.

"Hey!" Solaria huffed in mock offense. "You said it's better than blasting Ado. I love Ado!" he protested, clearly passionate about his music preferences. Y/N couldn't help but roll their eyes.

"I do too, but this is a factory that's a magical land in real life, okay?" Y/N chuckled, appreciating the quirks of their coworker's personality.

Y/N huffed, taking the folders containing files from his desk. "I'll take these to Walden. Take care," they said, offering a parting smile before exiting the room.

Outside, Y/N approached the metal door, pushing it open with a warm smile. "Hey, Walden, I've got your files," they announced.

Walden, appearing momentarily lost in thought and rubbing his eyes, acknowledged their presence. "Right, thank you, Y/N," he replied with a grateful smile.

Walden took the opportunity to address the previous tension. "Look, I'm sorry about snapping at you earlier. It wasn't fair," they apologized sincerely.

Y/N, understanding the sincerity of the apology, responded with reassurance. "It's alright. Just try not to let it happen again. I know your anger issues can be challenging, but don't take it out on me," they advised with a sigh.

A nod from Walden signaled their agreement. Shifting gears, they delved into the matter at hand. "Now, about the files," Y/N continued, diverting the conversation.

Walden nodded, visibly more focused. "Right," Y/N said, opening the files. "Researching the victims' blood, we might be able to find a cure if we can improve the serum or something. What do you think?"

Walden expressed his approval with a decisive nod. "It's a good idea," he affirmed. "Assign it to a research team that isn't overwhelmed; it should be one of our top priorities," he emphasized, his tone assertive. Y/N placed a few folders on his desk, aligning with Walden's intention.

"You need a break," Walden commented, genuine concern reflected in his voice as he worried about Y/N's well-being. "Those arms of yours won't hold out well..." he added in a softer, more thoughtful tone.

Y/N couldn't help but reflect on those words. Their gaze shifted downward, settling on their own arms. They were pale, with a few scars marking their journey. These were the arms that had offered comfort to the factory owner in times of need, strong and dependable.

Y/N's gaze drifted upward, a momentary pause as their thoughts meandered. "You need a break too, you blueberry pimp," they sighed, effortlessly slipping back into their playful banter. It was their way of steering clear of a potentially intimate moment, opting for the comfort of humor instead..

Walden chuckled, willingly participating in the banter. "I can see the blueberry, but I'm far from a pimp," he responded, maintaining the lightheartedness. "Now shoo."

Rolling their eyes in mock exasperation, Y/N complied. "Bye, Rainbow Dash," they said with a grin before closing the door behind them, oblivious to Walden's bewildered expression in response to the nickname.

As Y/N strolled through the factory's corridors, their footsteps echoed against the tiled floors. They continued to review the files, unaware of the approaching presence.

A figure appeared, boasting bright brown hair styled in a bob cut and adorned with a headband or hairpin. Adorning her head were mountain-shaped horns, contributing a whimsical touch to her overall appearance. She sported a vibrant red dress with puffy sleeves, perfectly capturing her youthful and joyful nature. Rainbow socks, reaching up to her thighs, accompanied red doll shoes, adding a playful and colorful element to her outfit. Her sea-green eyes, although appearing misty, radiated with excitement as she drew closer.

Following behind her was a string-like heart-tipped tail, a unique accessory to her presence.

"Assistant!" she beamed, exuding enthusiasm.

Y/N blinked in surprise.

"Ophelia?"

Author notes:

Gimme thoughts